The Visual AIDS Artist Files Collection

History

In 1994, the artist Frank Moore and arts writer David Hirsh formed the Archive Project to protect the legacies of artists who were being lost to the AIDS crisis. Moore and Hirsh were joined by Roberto Juarez, Sur Rodney (Sur), Eric Rhein, Geoff Hendricks, Ken Chu, and David Cabrera in this endeavor, and the group soon merged with Visual AIDS.

The founding principle of the Archive Project was to support any and all self-identified HIV positive artists, without adjudication. To make this possible, the project focused on creating and collecting photographic documentation of artist’s work, rather than attempting to store and conserve the art objects themselves. Artists were solicited to join the archive through flyers, posters, and personal outreach. Volunteer photographers would visit artists in their homes or studios to document and catalog their artwork, providing the artist with a copy of the slides and depositing a copy into the Artist File collection. Artists (and the friends and families of deceased artists) also contributed press clippings, resumes, exhibition cards and other biographical materials to their artist files. The Artist File collection has continued to grow since its establishment in 1994, with an emphasis on digital photographs rather than slides since the late 2000s.

Physical Holdings

The Visual AIDS Artist Files Collection contains 39 linear feet of materials pertaining to 413 unique artists, including 128 artists who are not represented on our online Artist Registry. The collection primarily consists of photographic documentation of artwork (both physical and digital), exhibition materials, publications, ephemera, correspondence, and personal papers and photographs. The collection contains a small number of artworks on paper, primarily unsold contributions to Visual AIDS’ Postcards from the Edge fundraiser. The files also contain a small number of artists' books, artworks on paper, personal photographs, and personal writing.

There are an additional 158 artists not represented in the public finding aid due to a lack of signed consent form.

The Artist Files Finding Aid can be found here.

Note

The Visual AIDS Artist Files collection documents HIV-positive artists. Recognizing the sensitivity of HIV disclosure, we work to confirm permission from artists and estates before publishing their name in this digital finding aid.

If you are an artist or the executor of an estate represented in this finding aid and would like to be removed, please email archive@visualaids.org.